Futures at Stake

Futures at stake: Balancing caribou protection with the future prosperity of northwest Alberta

Northwest Alberta: Many questions have been raised by residents of northwest Alberta about the government's plan to sterilize another 30 per cent of their land (1.6 million hectares) to create a permanent park for caribou protection.

We believe there are better solutions to more effectively protect the caribou and our communities. That's why we created an extensive report for both the federal and provincial governments with specific recommendations. We need to be part of the solutions!

Futures at stake: Families of Northwest Alberta in jeopardy

Northwest Alberta: we are a place of great potential and prosperity because of our active forestry, agriculture and oil and gas production. However, our region is now in danger of facing a dark future.

While the recent economic recovery and stable oil and gas prices began to spring hope for our families in the North Peace Country, the Alberta Government announced that it would be looking to seize one-third of our land to recover herds of the Woodland Caribou.

Alberta’s six northwestern municipalities have come together to form the Northwest Species at Risk (NWSAR) Committee.

Why we started this Committee

After learning of the Government of Alberta’s proposal to permanently protect 1.8 million hectares of land for caribou in northwest Alberta, Councillors from the area’s six municipalities leapt into action and formed the Northwest Species at Risk (NWSAR) Committee to ensure local voices were heard.

Key Findings

Through the Committee’s hard work over the past year, we have undertaken socio-economic analysis, the collection of scientific data and extensive multi-stakeholder consultations to create this report with ten specific recommendations for responsible caribou recovery.

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Local consultation required

There has been very limited consultation with the locally affected communities by the provincial and federal government’s, despite legislation requiring this.

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Ensuring the socio-economic future of northwest Alberta

Both the federal and provincial governments should fully consider the socio-economic impacts of the implementation of caribou recovery plans – in fact, legislation requires this.

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Developing land-use plans for the region a better way to protect caribou

The Lower Peace Regional Plan has not yet been created, which would put in place a land-use plan for the area.

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Active and coordinated wildlife management needed

Coordinated and broad wildlife management that considers the entire ecosystem is needed for the area that encompasses other species and their effect on caribou.